¡LETS STOP STIGMAS!

Please,

do not see me through my mental disability,

physical disability,

age,

color,

height,

weight,

national origin,

religion,

race,

level of education,

whatever!

See my true colors.

I am a person just as you are.

You can be in my place,

I can be in your place.

Do not talk to me in a conventional way.

Don't you get tired of cliches?

That is so impersonal,

a professional, clinical way.

We need to help and feed each other.

Show me that you care.

Talk to me with openness and honesty,

touch me with your heart!

Make me smile!

Please let's stop stigmas!

We must dare to disturb the

silence of isolation,

loneliness and alienation!

(October 7, 1997)